Expertise of Transitioning to the Chery Omoda E5
Eight months in the past, Majella and I took a check drive of the newly launched Omoda E5 from Chery. We discovered it to be a very good worth selection for these contemplating an electrical SUV. Nonetheless, the quickly altering Australian EV market can tremendously have an effect on perceptions in just some months.
I reached out to John, an everyday at our month-to-month espresso mornings, to debate his day by day experiences transitioning from a GMH Bolt to a Chery BEV.
John shared his journey: "In 2014, I used to be fascinated by shopping for an electrical automotive. At the moment, choices have been restricted. The Tesla Mannequin S was over $100k, and the Nissan Leaf had a brief vary and an air-cooled battery administration system. I seemed into the Holden Volt and determined to check drive it. After studying constructive opinions, I purchased the Volt in February 2014. It was dependable, with a petroleum consumption of simply 1.9 liters per 100 km over 123,000 km in 11 years. The electrical vary was solely 60 to 80 km, splendid for brief journeys."
He continued, “By 2024, service assist for the Holden Volt turned restricted, and its battery confirmed put on, lowering its efficient vary.”
In early 2025, John turned conscious of the Chery Omoda E5 by tv ads and determined to check drive it at Motorama Chery in Moorooka. His funds was beneath $40,000, however preliminary check drives left him unsure resulting from variations in dealing with in comparison with the Volt. After a number of check drives, together with on the Bruce Freeway, he felt extra snug and determined to buy the automotive from Motorama Chery Springwood for $39,000. He additionally evaluated choices just like the BYD Dolphin and BYD Atto 3 however discovered them missing.
John talked about, “I’ve pushed 2,400 km to date. The one situation was a steering fault, which was resolved rapidly and professionally at Chery Springwood.”
“Driving the automotive is clean, filled with expertise, and includes a clear dual-screen show. My solely grievance is that regen ranges 2 and three can really feel jerky, so I largely use stage one. The rated vary of 430 km is life like, as evidenced throughout a visit to Toowoomba. I take advantage of an 8-amp residence charger bought by the staff at Chery Springwood because the automotive does not include one. The Omoda presents a greater turning circle than the Volt and options trendy tech that the Volt lacks.”
For context, the Chevy Bolt was offered in Australia beneath the Holden model from 2012 to 2015. It aimed to enhance GM’s environmental fame after the EV1, that includes a 16 kWh lithium-ion battery for a goal all-electric vary of 60 km, with a petroleum engine for prolonged journey. Solely 250 Volts have been offered in Australia, every priced round AU$60,000.
The Chery Omoda has already outsold the Holden Volt in Australia, showcasing the shift in the direction of totally electrical automobiles. John’s transition displays a broader pattern of shifting from American to Chinese language-made electrical automobiles, permitting him to entry a totally electrical car for a fraction of the hybrid price, coupled with superior expertise. He has since began a Fb web page and chat group for fellow Omoda homeowners, reinforcing a shared neighborhood round this burgeoning electrical car expertise.
